There aren’t many football players who spring to mind that have more than one statue in tribute to their achievements, though the late, ever-dignified Denis Law can be fondly remembered as such.
Arguably one of the ‘holy trinity’ Manchester United players, that includes Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best, Law is the only Scottish player to ever win the Ballon D’Or and, rightly so.
He is also one of two players to score 30 goals for his country – compatriot, Sir Kenny Dalglish being the other.
Nicknamed ‘The King’, he certainly did not let this go to his head – indeed, one of this more remarkable traits was his humility – something rarely seen in players of this current generation, though he almost personified it.
He broke the British transfer record three times during his career – the first one coming in his £55,000 move from Huddersfield Town to Manchester City, the second one for his £110,000 switch to Torino and finally in 1962 when he completed his £115,00 move to Manchester United – the club, which arguably, put him onto a pedastal of his own.
It was United where he really shone in a team that was effectively star-studded, with the late ‘Georgie’ Best and Law went on to score 171 goals in 303 appearances in his natural position as a centre forward.
Despite winning the First Division title in 1965 and 1967, plus the FA Cup in 1963, injury ruled him out of the club’s European Cup final win in 1968 – a 4-1 victory over Portuguese giants Benfica.
Remembered Fondly
His funeral was a testament to not only the player, but also the kind of character he was, with many in attendance which included past and current players – the United contingency accounting for the majority. Leicester City manager and former United player Ruud Van Nistlerooy, Bobby Robson, Peter Schmeical, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville represented United, in addition to former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was one of a few names who paid tribute to his fellow Scotsman during the ceremony.
“Denis Law was one of the greatest players at Man United,” he said. “Doesn’t matter what time, all the time.
“Part of the Holy Trinity with Sir Bobby (Charlton) and George (Best) at a club that has nourished many greats and stars as far back as Sir Matt Busby’s days, who cemented our history as we know it today.
“Trying to place Denis in the pantheon of the great players is made easier by Pele. Pele was asked was there any British player who could play for the Brazil team.
“He said without equivocation, Denis Law. It was a fantastic tribute when you consider what a great player he was.”
Meanwhile, of the current United cast, new manager Ruben Amorim, Harry Maguire and captain Bruno Fernandes were in attendance, plus a handful of club executives, in addition to Law’s former Manchester City teammate, Mike Summerbee.
With bagpipes playing as his coffin was carried into the church against a grey, Manchester backdrop, it was a sombre reminder that despite there being great players, not even bad weather will affect a big turnout for a great person.